Prep them well for VCE

About the Senior School Curriculum

Care for the individual remains the core focus of every aspect of Senior School life

A key component of this care is ensuring all students are provided with the opportunity to achieve to the best of their ability in each subject. The curriculum is supported by the learning beyond the classroom homework policy, the enhancement and enrichment programs and the co-curricular programs.

Year 10 Studies

The Year 10 program is developed around allowing student choice of the subjects they wish to study and pursue. It allows individuals to cater for their needs, evaluate their options and make decisions based on their future pathways. This program provides flexibility and engagement for students, as well as providing them with the necessary foundation skills to move into a VCE program and life beyond the College.

At Year 10, subjects are a semester in length. Students choose a total of seven subjects in both Semesters 1 and 2. As well as the seven subjects students choose in each semester, all Year 10 students undertake the additional subject “Ignite”.

VCE Studies

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) was designed as a two-year program of study to be undertaken by students in Years 11 and 12. However, Year 10 students also have the option of completing some VCE studies if they qualify. Each school year is divided into two semesters and students are required to complete a unit of work per subject each semester. Therefore, two units are equivalent to one year subject.

VCE units have been designed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). All VCE units taken at Years 10, 11 and 12 are recorded on the VCE Certificate. The units offered at the Year 10 and Year 11 levels will generally be Units 1 and 2 in each subject. In Year 12 students will study Units 3 and 4 in their chosen subjects.

Only Units 3 and 4 are used in calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank or ATAR.

Year 11

In Year 11 all students are expected to undertake six studies (12 units).

Students must choose a minimum of one from the following three English courses:

  • English Language Units 1 and 2
  • Literature Units 1 and 2
  • English Units 1 and 2

Students who have undertaken English Language or Literature at either Unit 1 or 2 level whilst in Year 10, may wish to pursue these studies at Units 3 and 4 level whilst in Year 11 (subject to meeting the requirements).

Religion and Society Unit 1 or Unit 2 or Texts and Traditions Unit 1 is compulsory for all Year 11 students as part of the College’s Religious Studies requirement.

Year 12

In Year 12, students are expected to undertake five studies (10 units).

Some students may choose to complete six Unit 3 / 4 studies. Five studies would be undertaken in Year 12, and one in Year 11. Thus, it is important to plan your subjects on at least a two-year program. Students who select to complete a Unit 3 / 4 study at Year 11 will still be required to complete five studies in Year 12.

Satisfactory completion of the VCE

In order to 'satisfactorily' complete the VCE a student must 'satisfactorily' complete the equivalent of sixteen units. These sixteen units must include:

  • At least three units in English, and
  • Three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies other than English.

The three units of English may be selected from VCE English /  English Language Units 1 and 4, or Literature Units 1 and 4.

The sixteen units may include an unlimited number of units of Vocational Education and Training (VET)* provided by the VET Cluster or an opportunity to study a University Enhancement* subject as part of their VCE Program (* these subjects are not run on College site and can incur an additional cost).

To see the range of subjects on offer please refer to our